Teeth whitening: everything you need to know

Teeth whitening has become increasingly popular as we all continue to strive for Instagram perfection. And as our demand for the treatment has increased, so has the availability, accessibility and technology behind the process. Whether you want a quick fix via teeth whitening strips pre-party, an at home kit you can use yourself, or a professional job at the dentist, there are so many ways to get those pearly whites even whiter. Here, we talk you through your options...

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Teeth whitening strips

Perhaps the easiest and cheapest method for teeth whitening, these days strips are readily available at most beauty stores, including Boots. Crest whitening strips are a firm favourite in the US, but here you can buy cheaper options that offer the same results. While pros include the cost and ease of application, strips are less effective than professional dental bleaching, so if you're after a full transformation, you should consider this option instead.

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Charcoal teeth whitening

Bleaching your teeth can cause some sensitivities and discomfort, so if you are worried about this, you might want to consider an even gentler approach. Charcoal powders give your teeth a deep clean, polishing and removing stains as you go, all without harming the enamel on your teeth. If you're after radical change though, this one won't be for you.

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Laser teeth whitening

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This professional whitening process is administered in the dentist's chair, and will also usually set you back the most money of all methods. Bleach is applied to the teeth, and then the laser is used to heat up the agent in order to increase its effectiveness. Each session can take around an hour, and you may need a few tries before you notice huge change. As such high concentrations of bleach is used during this treatment, it's not advised for people with particularly sensitive teeth. You must also have an examination by a professional before going head with the treatment.

Professional bleaching teeth whitening

If you want to see dramatic change, and come away with a kit you can use at home for top ups whenever you need, then head to your dentist to enquire about professional bleaching. We tried it out ourselves and this is what we thought:

What you need to know

Before you can go ahead with professional bleaching, you are strongly recommended to seek out your dentist for a full check up. They can talk through any concerns you might have regarding the process, too. Dr Krystyna, cosmetic dental surgeon and facial aesthetician at Blush and Blow, also recommended that I visit a hygienist before undergoing treatment, in order to remove the build-up of plaque and stains that had accumulated between visits. Once given the all clear, she also warned me of the side-effects of peroxide. Yes, sensitivity, but also the need to cut out staining foods and drinks - ie curry, red wine, coffee - if I wanted to see the best results.

The process

The process for creating the bleaching trays was way more straightforward than I imagined. Dr Krystyna used clay moulds to create custom trays for my mouth - a slightly uncomfortable process, but one that lasted mere minutes. Then, 7-10 days later my trays were ready to collect. On my return to Blush and Blow Dr Krystyna showed me how to apply the bleach to the trays, applying just a small amount from the syringe into each tooth 'groove' that I wanted to whiten. I was to use the trays every night overnight for two weeks to see my transformation.

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How I got on

These trays were very easy to use - nothing like the clunky retainer I was given as a kid after braces - and actually extremely light and comfortable to wear at night. I did experience sensitivity, so I decided to take a break from the whitening whenever it got too sore, and found that just one night off would usually leave me feeling back to normal again the next day.

The results:

Before

Dr Krystyna

After

Dr Krystyna

I would highly recommend bleaching for a number of reasons. Not only is it a safe method that guarantees the best results, but it also lasts for the longest time, too - up to 24 months if you continue to avoid staining foods post-treatment. The other benefit, is that once you have the trays made you can simply purchase the bleach from the dentist every time you want a top-up treatment for a relatively small cost (around £15).

The price of professional bleaching varies according to each practice, but a treatment with Dr Krystyna at Blush and Blow costs £330. Find out more information here.

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